The second Saturday at the 2018 FIFA World Cup features Belgium and Mexico looking to qualify for the knockout stages after match day 2, while Germany faces a must win contest against Sweden. Our panelists preview and predict all the action.
Belgium vs Tunisia (Saturday in Moscow)
Steen Kirby: Tunisia will not offer that much on attack, and presuming Kevin De Bruyne figures out his role with Belgium, the Red Devils look really dangerous into the knockout rounds. Expect Belgium to pick up steam and get 3 the points they need to qualify for R16 in this one. Belgium 2-0
Kartik Krishnaiyer: Tunisia was able to handle England’s high press in the opening match with good spacing and quick ball movement out of the back. But going forward the North Africans provided virtually nothing and now face Belgium, arguably the most talented side in the competition. Roberto Martinez’s poor record at Everton has many doubting his ability to life this Belgian side in the World Cup, but few if any nations have as much attacking talent as Belgium. Romelu Lukaku had a brace in the opening 3-0 win vs Panama and with both Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne playing well, Belgium should roll here. Belgium 3-0
Manuel Traquete: Belgium will qualify if they win, Tunisia are out if they lose. There’s a significant gap between both sides quality-wise and anything other than a Belgium win would be a surprise. Belgium 2-0
South Korea vs Mexico (Saturday in Rostov)
Steen: Mexico has a great defense and showed off a counterattack led by Hirving Lozano that stunned Germany on match day 1. South Korea look to be lacking in attack and Heung Min-Son can’t do it all. Look for Mexico to break free enough to win this one and keep the momentum going. Mexico 3-0
Kartik: Mexico’s stunning opening match victory over defending champion Germany has El Tri’s supporters in both Mexico and the United States feeling very good about the side’s chances of progression. Coming into the tournament Manager Juan Carlos Osorio was criticized heavily for his rotation policy and tactical tweaks. But as the Germany win showed, Osorio’s ability to plan tactically for the opposition is one of his great strengths. Mexico’s game plan was to press Germany’s central midfield, clogging the passing lanes and creating quick changes of possession. It worked well – a similar strategy is likely to yield a positive result on Saturday versus South Korea. Mexico 2-0
Manuel: Mexico were arguably the most impressive team of the tournament in matchday 1, beating and thoroughly outplaying Germany. There’s no guarantee, however, that they can repeat that level of performance in a match where they’re favored to win and expected to control and dominate. Mexico 2-1
Germany vs Sweden (Saturday in Kazan)
Steen: Germany was awful on match day 1, not because they have poor players, but because they tactically failed to adjust to Mexico’s style of play. Sweden won their first match against Korea but Emil Forsberg was quiet and Marcus Berg will need to offer more as a striker if Sweden is going to pull off an upset. The Swedes are a physical side but Germany appears vulnerable to speed. With everything at stake I’d expect Germany to step up and get over the line here. Germany 1-0
Kartik: A somewhat desperate Germany side faces Sweden who are sitting on three points after a win over South Korea. Sweden showed in qualifying when they faced France, the Netherlands and ultimately Italy in a playoff that can defend deep and with numbers. Germany’s passing and movement will have to be quicker than it was last Sunday in the loss to Mexico. Unfortunately, Julian Draxler, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller are all coming off subpar club seasons given their pedigree. Sweden’s strong organization and defending in banks of four will be tough to break down. A draw is the most likely result here. 1-1 draw
Manuel: Not many expected Germany to be in a “win or go home” situation in matchday 2, and yet here we are. Meanwhile, a win would guarantee Sweden a place in the last 16. Despite being dominated by Mexico, expect Germany to step up in this do-or-die match. Germany 2-0
Main Photo:
